Artists You Didn’t (or Did) Know Were Canadian

Canada has always been the underdog music hub for great artists. Multiple artists call the Northern country home and there’s so many that some people may not even realize they are Canadian!

Here’s a list of artists you didn’t (or did) know were Canadian.

1. Justin Bieber

Photo courtesy of: justinbieber | Instagram

Justin Bieber, known as a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan, is actually from Stratford, Ontario. He got his start singing on the steps of Stratford Festival’s Avon Theatre.

2. Shawn Mendes

Photo courtesy of: shawnmendes | Instgram

One of our national treasures, Shawn Mendes, is actually just from outside of the GTA! He grew up in Pickering, Ontario.

3. Alessia Cara

Photo courtesy of: alessiasmusic | Instagram

The ‘Scars to Your Beautiful’ singer had the honor of performing the Canadian National Anthem at Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals. She’s actually from Brampton, Ontario!

4. Drake

Photo courtesy of: champagnepapi | Instagram

The real surprise is if you didn’t know that Drake AKA the 6ix God was from Toronto, Ontario. He’s one of the city’s biggest supporters, plugging mentions of his hometown every chance he gets!

5. The Weeknd

https://twitter.com/tpl_foundation/status/1107395138504921088?lang=en

Another one of the world’s top artists is actually from Canada. The Weeknd is grew up in Scarborough, Ontario!

6. Mark of NCT 127

https://twitter.com/nctsmtown_127/status/1130586210185834496

Mark Lee (Canadian) is in the middle of the photo

Making a name for himself in South Korea as a part of NCT, Mark Lee is actually Canadian. He was born in Toronto, Ontario before moving to Vancouver, British Columbia.

7. Zeds Dead

Photo courtesy of: Tessa Paisan

Using Toronto staples like the CN Tower and Honest Ed’s in their promo images, the electronic music duo consists of Dylan “DC” Mamid and Zachary “Hooks” Rapps-Rovan. Together they are better known as Zeds Dead and got their start in Toronto, Ontario.

8. Mac Demarco

Photo courtesy of: NME & GettyImages

The ‘On the Square’ singer was born in Duncan, British Colombia before moving and growing up in Edmonton, Alberta.

9. Johnny Orlando

Photo courtesy of: johnnyorlando | Instagram

One of the world’s newest teen heartthrobs is from Canada. Johnny Orlando was born in Mississauga, Ontario.

10. The Reklaws

Photo courtesy of: thereklaws | Instagram

Fun fact, Reklaws spelt backward is Walker. Even more of a fun fact, the brother-sister country duo grew up in Cambridge, Ontario.

11. James Barker Band

Photo courtesy of: jamesbarkerband | Instagram

Catching a photo with Toronto Raptors Superfan Nav and the CN Tower, this picture screams ‘CANADA’. The band and its members are from Woodville, Ontario.

12. Shania Twain

Photo courtesy of: shaniatwain | Instagra

Catching up with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the legendary Shania Twain is from Windsor, Ontario.

13. City and Colour

Photo courtesy of cityandcolour_official | Instagram

Dallas Michael John Albert Green, better known under his stage name, City and Colour is from St. Catharines, Ontario.

14. Arkells

Photo courtesy of: arkellsmusic | Instagram

Hardcore Toronto sports fans, the Arkells, are from Hamilton, Ontario.

15. The Beaches

Photo courtesy of: thebeachesband | Instagram

The all-girl rock band are from Toronto, Ontario. Their name actually is named after the area they grew up in known as the Beaches!

16. The Tragically Hip

Photo courtesy of: thetragicallyhip | Instagram

Canada’s staple rock band, the Tragically Hip, was recently given an honorary degree from Queen’s University. The university is based in Kingston, Ontario where the band first formed in 1984.

17. Elijah Woods & Jamie Fine

Photo courtesy of: ewxjf | Instagram

The two look cool as a Canadian winter as they sit in the middle of Yonge-Dundas square. The duo got their start when they formed in 2014 at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario.

18. Jann Arden

Photo courtesy of: jannarden | Instagram

Residing from Calgary, Alberta the Canadian singer was recently appointed as a member of the Order of Canada.

19. Tory Lanez

Recently performing at the NBA Finals 2019 Halftime show for Game 5, Tory Lanez is actually from Brampton, Ontario.

20. Jessie Reyez

Photo courtesy of: jessiereyez | Instagram

Originally born in Toronto, Ontario the Colombian-Canadian singer later moved and grew up in Brampton, Ontario.

21. The Tenors

Photo courtesy of: tenorsmusic | Instagram

Originally known as the Canadian Tenors, the group originated in Victoria, British Colombia. The group has seen members come and go, and the Tenors is currently comprised of Fraser Walters (British Columbia), Victor Micallef (Ontario), and Clifton Murray (Newfoundland).

22. Nav

Photo courtesy of: nav | Instagram

The ‘Price on My Head’ rapper makes sure to mention the city in his songs when he gets the chance. Why? Nav is from Rexdale, Ontario!

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